Foreword Fraud (A Shelf Indulgence Cozy Mystery Book 2)

Polly Pepper, once the queen of musical comedy TV, now finds herself playing a less glamorous role in the real-life drama of “Where Did My Career Go?” In a last-ditch effort to reclaim the spotlight (and refill her dwindling bank account), Polly takes a gig as a judge on the latest reality TV circus, “I’d Do Anything to Be Famous.” It’s the kind of show where dignity goes to die, and the contestants are so desperate for fame they’d marry Quasimodo’s less attractive sibling if it meant going viral on TikTok.

Secrets never keep for long.

After the sudden death of her husband, Silva struggles to find her way in a life that is now so different than the one she envisioned for herself. When offered the opportunity to start over in a new territory, she seizes the chance. But in order to truly start anew, Silva knows she must come clean about a secret she has held for far too long.

You’ve been his for years, and I respected it. Maintained my distance.

Kept my silence. My secret.

Until that night you came to me, disillusioned, angry and hurt. God helps us both, but I crossed my carefully drawn line before you left, disappeared.

Now, you’re back, and my need for you is a beast that hasn’t been fed and has grown hungrier in the years since I’ve seen you. I remind myself we can’t be more than friends, that you’re off-limits to me. But it doesn’t stop me from secretly craving what can never be mine.